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The poem was first published in a December 1873 issue of the Smith County Pioneer under the title "My Western Home".[2] The music was written by a friend of Higley, Daniel E. Kelley (1845–1905). Higley's original words are similar to those of the song today, but not identical; the original did not contain the words "on the range".[2] The song was adopted by settlers, cowboys, and others and spread across the United States in various forms.[3] During the early 20th century, it was arranged by Texas composer David W. Guion (1892–1981), who occasionally was credited as the composer. The song has gone under various names the most common are "Home on the Range" and "Western Home".[4] It was officially adopted as the state song of Kansas on June 30, 1947, and is commonly regarded as the unofficial anthem of the American West.[4][5]

The antelope referred to in the song is not a true antelope species, but is the American pronghorn that is often called an antelope.[6][7]